Just what I needed today: There is a Way to Be Happy, Even in Sadness, John Piper.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Quiet Time : Mordecai's Faithfulness
Esther 3:4
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Just a little context here. Esther has already been chosen as queen. King Ahasuerus has promoted Haman (mentioned in yesterdays post, in the comments, by Mark), and decreed that all should bow to him. According to my Study Bible; Mordecai refused to bow, because this would be acknowledging Haman as divine; and as Jew, he knew he wasn't to bow to anyone but God (he is avoiding idolatry).
So, in verse 4, we see Mordecai's faithfulness to God. He doesn't seem worried about his life or position in this instance. He is definitely fearing God above any man.
Now, on to:
Esther 3:6
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Haman is so angered by this, that he thinks ALL Jews should be killed. How insane is this! The saddest part is that he is able to talk the king into decreeing this. So, all Jews are to be killed on one day, which was chosen by lots (just shows you how superstitious Haman was ... and if you don't know how this story ends ... well, let's just say it didn't bring him much luck).
Keep in mind, the king has no idea that his wife, his queen, is Jewish.
So, obviously Mordecai wanted Esther to keep her heritage to herself, but when he was faced with it, he had no fear in proclaiming his true God. And as far as I know of the story, she is never asked.
Good stuff! :)
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Just a little context here. Esther has already been chosen as queen. King Ahasuerus has promoted Haman (mentioned in yesterdays post, in the comments, by Mark), and decreed that all should bow to him. According to my Study Bible; Mordecai refused to bow, because this would be acknowledging Haman as divine; and as Jew, he knew he wasn't to bow to anyone but God (he is avoiding idolatry).
So, in verse 4, we see Mordecai's faithfulness to God. He doesn't seem worried about his life or position in this instance. He is definitely fearing God above any man.
Now, on to:
Esther 3:6
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Haman is so angered by this, that he thinks ALL Jews should be killed. How insane is this! The saddest part is that he is able to talk the king into decreeing this. So, all Jews are to be killed on one day, which was chosen by lots (just shows you how superstitious Haman was ... and if you don't know how this story ends ... well, let's just say it didn't bring him much luck).
Keep in mind, the king has no idea that his wife, his queen, is Jewish.
So, obviously Mordecai wanted Esther to keep her heritage to herself, but when he was faced with it, he had no fear in proclaiming his true God. And as far as I know of the story, she is never asked.
Good stuff! :)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Quiet Time : Daily Dose of Spurgeon (2 in 1!)
Yay! I'm up to Esther; such a great illustration of God's providence.
Esther 2:10
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
In my Ryrie Study Bible (KJV), it states that Mordecai may have had two reasons for telling Esther to not share her Jewish heritage.
1. He feared for her life.
2. He wanted to protect his position in the king's court.
This is what struck me: would this be considered fear of man? Just throwing that out there.
Although one could argue that having Esther hide the truth about herself was beneficial; because maybe she reveals it at the right time.
+++
Okay, check it out, your Daily Dose of Spurgeon; which I read this morning, and made me think, 'this is the total opposite of fear of man!'
Just an excerpt:
"Few run too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord."
+++
Now I get that in reading the book of Ezra, it is apparent that he understood God:
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And that we get no indication about the strength of Mordecai's faith (at least not yet, but maybe later in the book? It seems that what I've heard of this story; he is a faithful Jew, and wants to save his people). And yes, this is Old Testament, pre-Pentecost; a concept that I need to study up on more ...
Okay, I hope to have more on this later. Welcome to my brain! ;)
Esther 2:10
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
In my Ryrie Study Bible (KJV), it states that Mordecai may have had two reasons for telling Esther to not share her Jewish heritage.
1. He feared for her life.
2. He wanted to protect his position in the king's court.
This is what struck me: would this be considered fear of man? Just throwing that out there.
Although one could argue that having Esther hide the truth about herself was beneficial; because maybe she reveals it at the right time.
+++
Okay, check it out, your Daily Dose of Spurgeon; which I read this morning, and made me think, 'this is the total opposite of fear of man!'
Just an excerpt:
"Few run too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord."
+++
Now I get that in reading the book of Ezra, it is apparent that he understood God:
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And that we get no indication about the strength of Mordecai's faith (at least not yet, but maybe later in the book? It seems that what I've heard of this story; he is a faithful Jew, and wants to save his people). And yes, this is Old Testament, pre-Pentecost; a concept that I need to study up on more ...
Okay, I hope to have more on this later. Welcome to my brain! ;)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
September 19, Morning
Galatians 5:1
The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
This "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times.
Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to His heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before Him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach His throne at all times-in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Galatians 5:1
The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
This "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times.
Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to His heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before Him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach His throne at all times-in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
my heart as of late
God is quick to comfort; sometimes we just need a little patience. ;)
I received this from 'Of First Importance' today:
He loves you as you are
“There never was one who came to him with a broken heart, but he healed him. He never said to one, “You are too bad for me to heal;” but he did say, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” My dear hearer, he will not cast you out. You say, “You do not know me, Mr. Spurgeon.” No, I do not; and you have come here to-night, and you hardly know why you are here; only you are very low and very sad.
The Lord Jesus Christ loves such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting, desolate, disconsolate one. Daughters of sorrow, sons of grief, look ye here! Jesus Christ has gone on healing broken hearts for thousands of years, and he is well up in the business. He understands it by experience, as well as by education. He is “mighty to save.” Consider him; consider him; and the Lord grant you grace to come and trust him even now!”
- Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Hospital
This led to a link to the full sermon, click here to read it in full. Below is an excerpt:
The church of God is never so well built up as when it is built up with men of broken hearts. I have prayed to God in secret many a time, of late, that he would be pleased to gather out from among us a people who have a deep experience, who should know the guilt of sin, who should be broken and ground to powder under a sense of their own inability and unworthiness; for I am persuaded that, without a deep experience of sin, there is seldom much belief in the doctrine of grace, and not much enthusiasm in praising the Saviour's name. The church needs to be built up with men who have been pulled down. Unless we know in our hearts our need of a Saviour, we shall never be worth much in preaching him. That preacher who has never been converted, what can he say about it? And he who has never been in the dungeon, who has never been in the abyss, who has never felt as if he were cast out from the sight of God, how can he comfort many who are outcasts, and who are bound with the fetters of despair? May the Lord break many hearts, and then bind them up, that with them he may build up the church, and inhabit it!
ALSO
I found commentary by Matthew Henry on the verses from my quiet time a few days ago. Click here to read.
+++
I have rejoiced in my 'brokeness' for a long time. However, God keeps revealing to me just what that means - and in doing so, continually shows me His character, how MORE and MORE I can trust Him, that His patience is never-ending.
God is so faithful when we read His Word - I am amazed every day! :)
I received this from 'Of First Importance' today:
He loves you as you are
“There never was one who came to him with a broken heart, but he healed him. He never said to one, “You are too bad for me to heal;” but he did say, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” My dear hearer, he will not cast you out. You say, “You do not know me, Mr. Spurgeon.” No, I do not; and you have come here to-night, and you hardly know why you are here; only you are very low and very sad.
The Lord Jesus Christ loves such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting, desolate, disconsolate one. Daughters of sorrow, sons of grief, look ye here! Jesus Christ has gone on healing broken hearts for thousands of years, and he is well up in the business. He understands it by experience, as well as by education. He is “mighty to save.” Consider him; consider him; and the Lord grant you grace to come and trust him even now!”
- Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Hospital
This led to a link to the full sermon, click here to read it in full. Below is an excerpt:
The church of God is never so well built up as when it is built up with men of broken hearts. I have prayed to God in secret many a time, of late, that he would be pleased to gather out from among us a people who have a deep experience, who should know the guilt of sin, who should be broken and ground to powder under a sense of their own inability and unworthiness; for I am persuaded that, without a deep experience of sin, there is seldom much belief in the doctrine of grace, and not much enthusiasm in praising the Saviour's name. The church needs to be built up with men who have been pulled down. Unless we know in our hearts our need of a Saviour, we shall never be worth much in preaching him. That preacher who has never been converted, what can he say about it? And he who has never been in the dungeon, who has never been in the abyss, who has never felt as if he were cast out from the sight of God, how can he comfort many who are outcasts, and who are bound with the fetters of despair? May the Lord break many hearts, and then bind them up, that with them he may build up the church, and inhabit it!
ALSO
I found commentary by Matthew Henry on the verses from my quiet time a few days ago. Click here to read.
+++
I have rejoiced in my 'brokeness' for a long time. However, God keeps revealing to me just what that means - and in doing so, continually shows me His character, how MORE and MORE I can trust Him, that His patience is never-ending.
God is so faithful when we read His Word - I am amazed every day! :)
Quiet Time : Pray for Strength
Nehemiah 6:9
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Quiet Time : The Body
Nehemiah 4:19-21 (KJV)
19And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
This reminded me of the work of the Church (as in the Body); that everyone has their purpose within the Body. That because we are a broken people, sometimes we might be separated (due to any number of reasons - I seriously blame Satan - seriously), but are fighting the same fight. Therefore we should work hard to ensure communication lines are open, and to fight our own misguided perceptions (I have found that mine can be attributed to FEAR OF MAN).
19And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
This reminded me of the work of the Church (as in the Body); that everyone has their purpose within the Body. That because we are a broken people, sometimes we might be separated (due to any number of reasons - I seriously blame Satan - seriously), but are fighting the same fight. Therefore we should work hard to ensure communication lines are open, and to fight our own misguided perceptions (I have found that mine can be attributed to FEAR OF MAN).
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
September 3 - Evening
Psalm 11:5 - The Lord trieth the righteous.
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.
Psalm 11:5 - The Lord trieth the righteous.
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.
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